The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1887-09-29
STRUGGLE WITH PRIDE.

out as she watched the lovely face O
her sister flushing and paling SO pain
fully under her steady gaze
81 wish you would not speak in thai
way, Clara. 1t is worse than heartlessi'
cried Rita passionately.
Clara Vane leaned further back OIL
the luxurious cushion, entirely unmovec
by her sisters indignation.
My dear Rita, to succeed in thi.
world you should do away with al
heart, and"
Rita rose to her feet All the brigh,
color had died out Of her face.
my life will be q failure, then, fol
l do not intend to adopt any such
creedp
And throwing the roses she had beer
arranging on the table, she left the
room.
Once in her own room, she threw
herself down beside the bed. passion
sobs breaking from her lips.
"How can she be so cruele" sobbed
the poor girl.
And a feeling of bitter shame swept
over her as she recalled all her sisters
maneuvres to entrap the handsome
young stranger.
Mrs. Vane was a thorough woman
Of the world. She had married her
husband for his position and wealth.
and she determined that her young
sister, who lived with her, should fol.
low in her footsteps.
But, alasi for her ambitious schemes.
There was no one among all their ac-
quaintance who suited her fastidious
taste.
But one day Ralph Chesney returned
from his travels. Then Mrs. Vane's
organ, that stood for a heart, thrilled
with satisfaction.
He was found at lasti
A brilliant position and an immense
fortune. handsome person, polished
manners, and mind enriched by edu-
cation and years of travel. The gods
had been kind indeedi Mrs. Vane
really envied her sister her good for
tune.
Rita understood her sisters plans,
and from the first she was unusually
cold to Ralph.
She knew that nearly always a man
simple and earnest is at the mercy of
a clever designing woman; so all the
attention Ralph bestowed on her she
considered the result of her sisters
scheming.
She declined all his invitations to
drive or walk. 1.-The asked for dance,
either her card was full or she was too
weary to dance. In fact, she was
coldly Indifferent, and she nearly drove
Mrs. Vane wild.
What a fool that girl is!' she cried
in paroxysm of rage. "She must be
n ind a.Nf 20 = h., a L.,
However, she dared not Interfere.
Rita's manner prevented her touching
the dangerous subject. She remem-
bered their last interview.
Sometimes she wondered if Rita's in
difference was not bait to lure Ralph
on, but she put the thought away from
her with an impatient frown.
She knew her sisters sweet frank
nature too well to believe she could be
SO deceptive.
And yet Rita felt that her life was
one mass of coneealment; for this man
that she had vowed should be nothing
to her had won her heart.
1t was useless to deny it.
She tried to crush her love, but it
would not be controlled at her bidding.
Then she longed to throw aside her
naughty manner, and let him see her
own winsome charming self.
Other men had loved her madly, why
should not hep
Then pride would whisper:
Remember how openly your sister
courts him. Do not let hIm think. it IL
with your consent"
This wavering frightened her, so she
determined to crush her tormenking
love with an iron hand; and her first
step would be to go where. she would
not meet him.
When Mrs. Vane learned of Rita's
intention to visit some friends in q dis
tant city, she few into perfect
passion.
what is the use of all my planningP''
she cried. "Are you mad, that you
throw away this golden opportunity Of
winning the richest and the hand
soonest man in the oityP There is the
ball next week, too. What am ! to
say to Mrs. Wainwright? Really I do
think"
And Mrs. Vane, overcome with dis
appointment and vexstion, did the
best thing possible to win her own way
she burst into tears.
1t was SO unexpected, that poor Rita
knew not what to do. To see her inn
perious and self-possessed sister in
tears filled her with dismay.
''Oh. ClaraT she cried tremblingly,
''if you wish it so much, win not
leave until after the ball"
"a few days will make little differ.
ence," she said wearily, as she went to
her room after making her peace with
her sister.
She passed the days in feverish ex-
citement, playing the part she had set
herself so well, that not even her sister
dreamed of her love for Ralph.
The night of the ball came at last.
When Rita entered the drawing-room,
Mrs. Wainwright exclaimed, "Perfectr'
and she could scarcely keep her eyes
off her lovely guest; but there was Q
slight feeling of uneasiness in her
heart as she noticed the dazzling brill
fancy of the dark eyes and the bright
ened color on the lovely face.
For Rita the evening was q continued
triumph, but for one thing-Ralph
never came near her.
Several times she encountered his
glance; and something in his earnest
look moved her strangely,
There was mad wild hope in her
heart that he would ask her to dance.
Foolish Rital She had been cold
and Indifferent, vouchsafing him neith-
er word nor glance if she could avoid
it; and now that he in his turn held
aloof, she was miserable.
The lights aud music Jared on her
excited nerves, and she longed to be
alone.
After several unsuccessful attempts,
she finally escaped to the conservatory
unnoticed and unattended.
She had not been there many min
utes when she was aroused by the sound
of voices near her.
what a foolish mani Rita heard q
tzaags Hssas ssx ..xas eayssIsz3